Gauge



Dec. 18, 1962 G. F. sADDocK GAUGE Filed Oct. 14, 1959 1. Il i aoesnca diaphragm 120 is a rigid backing plate 124 which is sealed in the diaphragm chamber 114 by inwardly peening the case as indicated at 126. The backing plate prevents the diaphragm 120 from being ruptured under exssive pressure. As in the previous embodiment the diaphragm may be made in conventional'fashion of relatively Ithin concentrically corrugated metal. An operating stud 128 is secured to `the diaphragm at its center and projects forwardly from the upper or front face of the diaphragm through an opening 129 in the backing plate 124.

A ilexible plate 130 having 'a central opening 131 is mounted in ythe case 110 by a plurality of 'rivets 132 which are spaced from each other substantially nine-ty degrees similar to the rivets shown in the previous embodiment, A crank arm 142 is pivotally attachedV to Ithe plate 136 in bearings146 `and 148. The crank arm 142 has an oitset portion 144 which` is positioned over the opening 131 in engagement with the operating stud 128. The crank arm 142 has a righ-t angular extension 150 which engages a gear segment 152 that is mounted to pivot about a pin 154. The pin 154 is attached at each of its ends to plates 156 and 158, respectively, which are spaced from each other by la bushing or sleeve 160. The plate 158 is secured torthe exible plate 130 by an arm 162 which is integral with plateY 130. An indicating pointer 164- is mounted to pivot intermediate its ends by a pin 166 toV which is rigidly attached `a pinion 168. The gear 163 is in meshv with` the segmental gear 152. Thus, as Ithe stu-d 12,8,V which is attached to the diaphragm, moves, the motion Vthereof is ytransmitted through .the segment 152 to -the pinion168 to rotate `the pointer 164.

The` pointer` 164 is'adapted to read against graduations provided on a dial 170. The dial 179 may be mounted conventionally inthe caseA 110 by tangs 1721 which may be p eened inwardly of the case. A glass 175 is seated againstya spacing ring 177 and issecured by an annular beze1, 1794 which engagesthe flange 111 to close the upper, end of thecase,

A leaf springV 180 is fastened at one of its ends to the baseportion 1 12 of thecase 110 by one or more rivets 182. The spring extends inwardly in the casingand engages `.beneath the edge of the flexible plate 130. In positioning-:the leaf spring 180 in the casing it has been found preferable to have the spring 189 extend outwardly from the exible plate 130 in line with arm 142. If desired, the free end of the spring 180 may be attached adjacent lthe edge of the plate 13) a-t 183 by soldering, brazing, or inwany other well known manner. A screw 184, which isjadjustably threaded into the portion 113 of Ythe casing is securely attached to the spring 180 by a f -stud and lock washer 1&6. The screw is Iattached intermediate -the ends of `the spring 180 andis adjacent t0 but spaced fromV the edge of the plate 130. A knurled knob 187, integral with the screw, is provided to manually rotate the screw. v V

AfterV final assembly of this embodiment ofthe invention, the screw 184 may be threaded in Yeither direction toV reise` 01' lower Ithe plate 130 thus changing the position of Vthecrank arm 142. The screw 184 deflects'the spring 189 `Ywhich causes the spring :to apply more or less force ktothe edge ofthe plate 13) to change its position. This causes Vthe extension 159 'of the Iarm 142 to move the Y pointer 164 relative to 1the VZerovgraduation on 'the dial 170 when the diaphragm is not subject `to pressure, thus permitting pointer` Vposi-tion adjustment. This embodiment of the invention provides a slightly greater leverage to the ilexible plate 130 and lthus is suitable for gauges of n larger sizeg It is apparent .that other means of flexing, or raising and lowering the plates 30l and 139 such as by rotating orV sliding cam, which may be moved by a shaft or a screw, may beV employed. Y

*lit is apparent the position of .the adjustment means, which are shown herein inthe Yform of a leaf spring controlled by a screw andv also a "screw in direct contactwiththe plate, may be modied relative to. the edge ofthe plate or relative to 'the crank arm to provide for the proper adjustment raccording'to the needs of practice.

While the invention has been shown herein in connection with a pressure gauge, it is understood that it can be used in other types of' gauges or instruments, such as temperature gauges, liquid .level indicators, and the like. While the invention has been. described in connection with two speciiic embodiments thereof, it Will be understood that it is capable of funther modilication, and this application is intended 'to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come with-in known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and :as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limit-s of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

1. A gauge, comprising'a casing, condition-responsive means movably mounted in said casing, a exible plate, means for attaching the exible plate at spaced intervals adjacent the marginal edge` of the plate to said casing, a crank pivotally Vmounted on said plate, means extending through said plate connecting said crank to said condition-responsive means to move said crank upon movement of said condition-responsive means, the pivotal axis ofV said crank being positioned between adjacenty attaching means, a stationary reference means yin said casing, a movable indicatingrmember operativelyy com. nected to said crank to assume variouspositions relative to the stationary reference means depending upon the pivotal position of said crank, and adjustable means mounted in said casing and engaging said ilexible 'plate 'adjacent1 the edge of said flexible plate between adjacent attaching means to flex said plate relative to the casing-` to change the position of said indicating member relative to said reference*y meansV independently ofthe; movement Y in saidcasing, a'movable indicating member operatively;

connected to said crank to assume various positions relative to the stationary reference means depending upon the pivotalfposition of Vsaid crank, Ya leaf spring attached at one end to said casing at a point spaced from the edge of said plate, the free end ofV said leaf spring engaging plate adjacent the edge of the plate intermediate j twol adjacent plate attaching means, and adjustable means f mounted'in said casing and engaging said leaf springv intermediate the ends of said spring, said adjustable meansv being adjustable manually to flex Vsaid plate relative to the casing to change the position of said indicating mem-' ber relative to said reference means independently of thel movement of said crank under actuation of said conditionresponsive means.

3. A pressure gauge, comprising a casing havingjaVY diaphragm movably mounted therein, a flexible plateY mounted in spaced relation to said diaphragmand generally parallel thereto, means securing said flexibleplate in said casing at spaced intervals adjacent theperipheral,v

edge of said plate, said plate having a central opening;V

crank arm Ypivotally attached to' said plate adjacent Vopposite sides of the opening, said crank ann having an offset portionintermediate its ends positioned acrosssaid openinghreans connected to said diaphragm and engage.'

ing said oiset portion to impart pivotal movement to said crank arm in response to the movement of the diaphragm, a graduated dial mounted in said casing, a pointer movably mounted in said casing, said pointer being operatively connected to said crank arm to read against various graduations on said dial in accordance with the pivotal position of said crank arm, and adjustable means mounted in said casing and engaging said iiexible plate between adjacent securing means, and substantially axially aligned with the pivotal axis of said crank arm, said adjustable means being manipulable eXteriorly of the casing to ex said plate relative to the casing to change the position of said pointer relative to the graduations on said dial independent of the movement of said diaphragm.

4. A pressure gauge, comprising a casing having a diaphragm movably mounted therein, a flexible plate mounted in spaced relation to said diaphragm and generally parallel therewith, means securing said exible plate to said casing at spaced intervals adjacent the peripheral edge of said plate, said plate having a central opening, a crank arm pivotally attached to said plate adjacent opposite sides of said opening, said crank arm having an offset portion intermediate its ends positioned across said opening, means connected to said diaphragm and engaging said offset portion to impart pivotal movement to said crank arm in response to the movement of the diaphragm, a graduated dial mounted in said casing, a pointer movably mounted in said casing, said pointer being operably connected to said crank arm to read against various graduations on said dial in -accordance with the pivotal position of said crank arm, a leaf spring attached at one end to said housing, the other end of said spring engaging said plate adjacent its peripheral edge between adjacent plate -securing means and substantially aligned with the pivotal axis of said crank arm, and adjustable means mounted in said casing and engaging said leaf spring intermediate its ends, said adjustable means being manipulable exteriorly of the casing to cause said spring to eX said plate relative to the casing to change the position of said pointer relative to the graduations on said dial independent of the movement of said diaphragm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,763,354 lleman June 10, 1930 1,805,176 Hastings May 12, 1931 2,123,532 Hastings et al July 12, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 499,569 Great Britain Jan. 25, 1939 

